Planning and Policy

In recent years, public service agencies have harnessed advancements in information technology (IT) to transform government service delivery to citizens, businesses, and other government agencies, in unprecedented ways. As the service delivery value of IT has grown, Texas leadership has continued to craft state policy to both protect and aggregate its increasingly critical IT infrastructure.

DIR plays a leadership role in affecting Texas IT policy.
Texas Government Code Chapter 2054, the Information Resources Management Act, describes information technology—or resources—as strategic assets that must be properly managed because of their value. The law affirms that sharing technologies is often the most prudent and efficient way to manage public information infrastructure to achieve the highest quality and most timely governmental services.

Within a decentralized governmental structure, DIR leverages the buying power of the state for technology purchasing. It also provides opportunities for Texas government organizations to reap benefits from sharing technology services, protecting technology assets and citizen privacy, simplifying access to government services and information, and promoting the innovative use of technology across the state. Continuing with its founding purpose, DIR provides technology policy, planning, and standards that help shape consistent and effective use of technology across the state, addressing areas such as statewide project planning, electronic information resources (EIR) accessibility, and best practice guidance in new technologies.

Furthermore, as the state's technology agency, DIR provides state leadership with updates on technology issues relevant to state agencies. The agency also works with agencies to assess needs and measure the impact of industry developments—all while providing both vision and guidance as technology continues to advance.

DIR's Planning and Policy Role

Continuing with its founding purpose, DIR provides technology planning, policy, and standards that help shape consistent and effective use of technology across the state, addressing areas such as statewide project planning, electronic information resources (EIR) accessibility, and best practice guidance in new technologies.

Furthermore, as the state's technology agency, DIR provides state leadership with updates on technology issues relevant to state agencies. The agency also works with agencies to assess needs and measure the impact of industry developments—all while providing both vision and guidance as technology continues to advance.

To carry out these statewide responsibilities, DIR works through:

The
State Strategic Plan for Information Resources Management. Issued by DIR, the SSP is developed every two years with insights from state agencies, other governments, and industry, to provide a top ten list of technology priorities, along with a five-year plan regarding those priorities.

Information Resources Managers. IRMs are executive-level state employees responsible for managing agency information resources within their respective agencies. DIR helps keep them updated and informed about state requirements and educational opportunities.

Legislation

Every two years, the Texas Legislature convenes to consider and pass legislation, meeting from January through May. During this time, DIR tracks legislation related to technology that could be of interest to our customers and other stakeholders, including any recommendations presented through the BPR. DIR's
Technology Legislation page lists these bills alongside contact information for questions and comments.